"It was a difficult period in personal terms" - Cristiano Ronaldo's past issues with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid resurface amid Fenerbahce links
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho could be reunited at Fenerbahce, but the duo had problems at Real Madrid. The Portuguese pair worked together at the Santiago Bernabeu for three years.
Jose Mourinho's reign ended unceremoniously after developing a toxic relationship with his squad. He left Madrid in 2013 despite guiding the club to the La Liga title in the 2011-12 campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo delved into why Mourinho's spell ended on a sour note when speaking a year afterwards. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner made clear he wasn't in football to make managerial friends (via The Daily Mail):
"There was a bad atmosphere and it was a difficult period in personal terms. There were situations with other players and also with the fans."
Ronaldo appeared 164 times across competitions under Mourinho, posting 168 goals and 49 assists. Many felt their larger-than-life personalities disrupted their working relationship with both confident characters.
Real Madrid's all-time top scorer joined Los Blancos in 2009 after enjoying a meteoric rise at Manchester United. He thrived under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford and expressed his admiration for the Scot:
"Of all my managers, the only one I have a friendship with is Sir Alex Ferguson. But I’m not in football to have friends. I’m here to win."
Ronaldo, 39, left Madrid in 2018 and joined Juventus before making a blockbuster return to United in 2021. He spent 15 months back at Old Trafford before heading to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr in January 2023.
Speculation is growing over Ronaldo's future at Al-Awwal Park as his contract expires next summer. Mourinho reportedly phoned his former forward regarding a potential move to Fenerbahce.
Mourinho arrived at Fenerbahce in the summer and has sought to 'fight the system' in Turkiye. His troops are second in the Turkish Super Lig after 11 games, five points behind leaders Galatasaray.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho appeared to mend their relationship after Real Madrid troubles
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho's time spent away from one another seemed to improve their relationship. The pair clashed in the UEFA Champions League in 2018, and the Portuguese coach said at the time (via The Mirror):
"He is one of the best players of all time - it's as simple as that."
Ronaldo had opened the door for a reunion before then:
"Work with Mourinho again? Why not?"
Ronaldo has been in red-hot form in Saudi with Al-Nassr, registering 10 goals and three assists in 15 games across competitions. The five-time Champions League winner previously insisted he's not eyeing a return to European football.
